JIC RELEASE NO. 604 - Results: Zero of 846 Test Positive for COVID-19;Incoming Travelers from CNMI Subject to Quarantine;GMH Modifies Visitation Policy;COVID-19 Community Testing March 17 and 19 in Tiyan, Barrigada; COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule for UOG,

Results: No New Cases of COVID-19
No new cases of COVID-19 were identified out of 846 tests performed on Monday, March 15.  To date, there have been a total of 7,773 officially reported cases of COVID-19 with 134 deaths, 23 cases in active isolation, and 7,616 not in active isolation.

1The COVID Area Risk (CAR) Score accounts for the incidence of new cases, how well current testing identifies these cases, and the rate of spread. The ideal long-term goal is to sustain a CAR Score of 2.5 or less, which has been shown to correlate with very low to zero COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths. 

The following tables provide COVID-19 test results reported to the JIC on Tuesday, March 16, and reflects results from Monday, March 14:

The following provides preliminary COVID-19 vaccinations reported to the JIC on Tuesday, March 16, for vaccinations administered from December 17 to March 15:

*Administering second doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccinations began on January 4, 2021.

**Administering first doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations began on January 8, 2021.

***Administering second doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations began on January 29, 2021.

****Johnson &Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccinations began on March 15 and were developed as a one dose series.

^As of March 15, 2021. Total doses administered and allotted doses differ as vaccinators were able to draw additional doses per vial. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s February 25, 2021 revision of their Fact Sheet relative to the Pfizer-BioNTech Emergency Use Authorization now states “After dilution, one vial contains 6 doses of 0.3 mL. Vial labels and cartons may state that after dilution, a vial contains 5 doses of 0.3 mL. The information in this Fact Sheet regarding the number of doses per vial after dilution supersedes the number of doses stated on vial labels and cartons.” | ^^Reflects the previous allocation total of 86,560 and last received allocation of 1,300 Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccines on March 8, 2021.

Incoming Travelers from CNMI Subject to Quarantine
Due to reported community spread of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), all incoming travelers originating from the CNMI flying into Guam are subject to quarantine as outlined in DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2020-11 REV10. Travelers originating from the CNMI were previously allowed to quarantine at a rental lodging or personal residence immediately upon arrival into Guam.

GMH Modifies Visitation 
To ensure quality patient care as well as family and visitor safety, the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and modifying its policies as it evolves. 

As of Wednesday, March 10, visiting hours were modified to include visitation of immediate family members for non-COVID patients ages 75 and older.

Visitor Criteria: Visitors/Caregivers must meet and comply with the following or be asked to leave the premises. 

• Sign an Acknowledgement of Responsibilities & Waiver of Liability re: COVID-19 for Non-­GMHA Employees/Staff.
• Be 18 years old and above, unless they are a parent of the patient.
• Mandatory use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the duration of the visit, temperature checks and other screening measures in effect.
• Proper hand hygiene and social distancing at all times.
• Proceed directly to the patient's room, and limit unnecessary movement within the facility. There will be no congregating in the patient rooms and waiting/lobby areas.

Exceptions:

• At the end of life, for religious services only. See "Religious Services" guidelines below. End of life is defined as patients having less than seven days to live, or are on comfort care, or are being discharged to hospice as their next level of care.
• Children/Minors, patients with disabilities, high risk patients, one (1) authorized visitor/caregiver for children/minor patients; patients with disabilities; or patients who are high risk for falls, suffer from dementia or other serious ailments; or patients who otherwise require a guardian is authorized. Overnight stays will only be permitted if the hospital can accommodate it.
• Visits by family and legal advisers to update a patient's will or other legal documents.

Religious Services:

• End of life, in-person religious services are permitted and shall be initiated by the patient or family; approved by the attending physician in communication with the unit charge nurse and house supervisor; and arrange the date and time for service with the clergy designated by their religious group.
• The patient or family will communicate the date and time of service with the unit charge nurse who will then notify the house supervisor and security.
• Clergy members who are designated by their religious groups will only be authorized entry after undergoing training by the GMHA. 
• The designated clergy members will be issued an identification badge by the Human Resources Department which must be worn at all times while on premises. After checking in with security, the clergy member may proceed directly to the unit where the service was arranged.
• All others may be arranged virtually with the unit where the patient is located.
• All religious services are subject to a reasonable time if it can be provided without disruption to care.
• Visitors for PUIs and COVID-19 patients must consent to an Acknowledgement of Responsibilities & Waiver of liability re COVID-19 for Non-GMHA Employees/Staff.

COVID-19 Community Testing March 17 and 19 in Tiyan, Barrigada
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), in collaboration with the Mayors’ Council of Guam, Guam Department of Education, Guam Police Department, Guam Fire Department, and other GovGuam and federal agencies, continues COVID-19 community testing on Wednesday, March 17, and Friday, March 19, at the Old Carnival Grounds in Tiyan, Barrigada, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

DPHSS will offer up to 150 COVID-19 tests on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents are reminded that this event is only a COVID-19 community testing. NO VACCINATIONS will be offered at this location. 

For the safety of the community and the nurses, only four (4) people per vehicle are allowed to be tested. No symptoms are needed to qualify for testing. Please bring a picture ID.

COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule for March 17 – 20 at UOG Fieldhouse
COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue through Saturday, March 20, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. These clinics will administer first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and second doses of both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson  vaccine is not available at the UOG vaccination clinic at this time. Eligible residents are advised to schedule an appointment online via Eventbrite at the link provided above or click here. Eligibility is subject to change. 

If scheduling an appointment is not possible, walk-ins will be accepted at a limited rate of 15 per hour. Walk-ins wishing to avoid longer wait times are discouraged from lining up prior to the 10 a.m. opening and are asked to expect reasonable delays.

Upon arrival, individuals 70 years and older will be sent to the front of the line. Please bring a digital or hard copy appointment confirmation, a photo ID, and proof of Guam residency (Guam Driver's License, Guam ID, Green Card, US or FSM Passport, H1B or H2B visas for skilled workers). Those due for their second dose are reminded to bring their COVID-19 immunization card. This ensures quicker processing and proper documentation.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those due for their second dose of the vaccine may get their second dose up to four (4) days early. The CDC further states that if it is not feasible to adhere to the recommended interval and a delay in vaccination is unavoidable, the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may be administered up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose.

Homebound Vaccinations Continue March 17-18
DPHSS, in partnership with MCOG, continues homebound vaccinations for those pre-registered with their village mayor and meet eligibility criteria. Homebound vaccinations are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the villages and locations listed below: 

Village-Based COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Scheduled for March 19
DPHSS, in partnership with MCOG, and the Guam Department of Education, continues the village-based COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Friday, March 19 at the Agat Gym. Village-based clinic hours are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m or while supplies last. Patients who are due for their second dose will be prioritized. Please bring a photo ID and COVID-19 immunization card. Although walk-ins are accepted, eligible village residents are encouraged to register with their respective mayor’s office. 

Enrolled Provider List for COVID-19 Vaccinations
In addition to mass vaccination clinics held at the UOG Fieldhouse, eligible Guam residents may contact any of the participating enrolled providers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine:

Public and private clinics and pharmacies may become enrolled providers after first agreeing to participate in the DPHSS vaccination program. Enrolled providers must meet federal storage and handling requirements for COVID-19 vaccines as established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), designate staff to complete CDC online training and certification courses, and enroll to report vaccine administration through DPHSS Immunization Registry to meet CDC reporting requirements. Enrolled providers will continue to receive COVID-19 vaccination allocations from DPHSS monthly if the island’s vaccination allocation supply permits and if they continue to uphold these requirements.

GBHWC Crisis Hotline
The Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC) has a Crisis Hotline available 24/7 at (671) 647-8833/4. For those feeling anxious, stressed, overwhelmed or are needing to talk to someone, GBHWC has experienced providers available and ready to assist the community with any heightened stress and anxiety experienced as a result of COVID-19.

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit dphss.guam.gov or guamrecovery.com. For inquiries on COVID-19, contact 311 through a local number, or call the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.